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If there’s one thing that all creatures on Earth agree on (save perhaps spiders), it’s that flies are bothersome. Imagine how much more bothersome they are for your dog, who doesn’t have access to a flyswatter or even a pair of chopsticks to swat the little jerks out of the sky. As a result, she is forced to deal with them exclusively. That’s where an effective fly repellent comes in handy. We’ll show you which repellents genuinely work and which ones just seem to attract more flies in the reviews below. You’ll finally be able to give your dog a break from those pesky insects if you find one that works for you.
Here’s a quick look at our range of fly repellents that is best in the market-
- Farnam Ointment
While Farnam Fly’s-Off Ointment is designed to keep flies away from open wounds and sores, it can also be used to keep flies away from your dog’s face when she isn’t hurt.
It kills all kinds of flies, including horse flies, home flies, and stable flies (except elephant flies, which no one has ever seen). It’s ideal for pets like herding dogs who work in rural areas.
There’s no need to coat your puppy’s entire body with this stuff because a little goes a long way (and that’s probably due to the awful scent). Simply apply a small amount of soap to the affected region with your fingertips, and watch the flies flee. There’s nothing like Farnam Fly’s-Off Ointment if your dog is continuously being assaulted and pestered by flies.
PROS-
- All varieties of flies are kept at bay.
- Treats open wounds and sores.
- Working dogs will love it.
- A little goes a long way in this case.
- Simple to use
CONS-
- It has an awful odor to it.
2. Swat Fly Ointment by Farman
This ointment is efficient in repelling flies and is safe to use on pets. Because it’s an ointment, it’ll stay on your dog’s skin for longer, protecting your puppy from flies and other biting insects than a topical spray that may be easily rubbed or sweated off. SWAT Fly Ointment by Farnam has the highest overall customer review rating and the highest number of positive customer reviews, with over 350 positive reviews written by satisfied customers who use this product on their pets, out of all the many different varieties of fly repellents available. This fly repellent is also incredibly economical, with a 7 oz—container of the ointment costing only $10.00. (prices may vary depending on when and where this product is purchased).
PROS-
- It’s okay to use on dogs.
- It is possible to use it daily.
- Ideal for sensitive and difficult-to-reach locations.
- Because it’s an ointment, it’ll last longer on dogs.
- Dogs are well protected against being eaten alive by a variety of flies and other biting insects.
- Several people have reported that this treatment works well in keeping biting ear gnats away from their pets.
- Many people claim that this ointment works better and lasts longer than any other topical fly repellent they’ve tried before.
- Hundreds of happy customers claim that this ointment is highly effective and that it works better for them than any other product they’ve tried.
- Many users indicate that the ointment not only keeps flies and other biting insects away from their dogs, but it also aids in the healing of any existing sores or bug bites.
CONS-
- This ointment did not perform appropriately for some consumers in keeping flies off their dogs.
- Due to the contents and warnings indicated on this product, a few users expressed concern that it could be hazardous to dogs. If dogs lick each other or themselves, it might not be the greatest solution.
- Some users complained that smearing this difficult-to-wash-off product on their dogs using their hands (rather than using a spray formula) is inconvenient, but that this problem can be solved by applying the ointment with gloves.
- Several users complained that the ointment has a strong menthol fragrance that their dogs dislike and that as a result, the dogs would either flee when the owner gets the cream or will rub their heads in the mud after the ointment is applied to cover up the smell (but the ointment is still effective this way).
3. Miracle Coat No Fly Zone for Dogs
Miracle Coat’s No Fly Zone spray is a non-toxic, all-natural remedy. It uses Clove oil extract’s special power to repel flies, as well as natural conditioners like oatmeal and Vitamin E to soothe your dog’s skin. It’s an excellent product for all-around use because you can spray it straight on your dog’s coat, kennel, and bedding.
PROS-
- Non-toxic, biodegradable, and water-soluble
- Only the finest natural components are used in this safe recipe.
- To condition and soothe your dog’s skin, use oatmeal and Vitamin E.
- Clove oil extract can be used as a natural insect deterrent.
- It’s safe to use on your dog, as well as their kennel and bedding.
CONS-
- The effect of the spray does not last for a long time and has to be reapplied.
4. Ovitrol Plus Flea, Tick, and Bot Fly Spray by Vet-Kem
This fly repellent spray is ideal for people who want to protect their pets against a wide range of pests at once, not only flies. Ovitrol repels and kills adult fleas, flea eggs/larvae, ticks, lice, mosquitoes, gnats, horse bot flies, ticks, lice, mosquitoes, gnats, and horse’s bot flies. Vet-Ovitrol Kem’s Plus Flea, Tick, and Bot Fly Spray are safe for all pets, with hundreds of good customer reviews and a higher than average overall customer star rating on Amazon. This product is available in 16 oz. Spray containers cost roughly $20.00 per bottle (prices may vary depending on when and where this product is purchased). It’s safe for dogs to use and kills both fly and flea eggs.
It’s only necessary to use the Rapid Action formula once a week. Fleas, flea larvae, ticks, lice, mosquitos, gnats, and horse bot flies are all protected by this product. Adult fleas and their larvae are killed quickly, and the fleas are kept away for up to two months.
PROS-
- It’s okay to use on dogs.
- Each week, only one application is required for dogs.
- Defends dogs against a wide range of flying and biting insects.
- According to users, this spray container solution is gentle enough to be used on dogs with sensitive skin or allergies.
- With the use of this treatment, both fly and flea eggs are killed and prevented from hatching in your dog’s skin and fur.
- Several consumers indicate that this spray effectively repels flies and all of the bugs that it claims to repel and that it works well to keep bugs off their dogs.
- Many people claim that this treatment is highly effective at killing and getting rid of fleas right away and preventing them from returning.
- This mixture, according to users, is safe to spray on several surfaces and is also an effective way to keep troublesome animals away from bedding, floors, and furniture.
- Because it’s in a spray form, users don’t have to massage it on their pets with their hands (or buy disposable gloves), as they would with an ointment.
CONS-
- Some customers say this product smells like rubbing alcohol and recommend spraying it on dogs while they’re outside (but also state that the smell disappears quickly).
- Several users indicate that this recipe is solid and can irritate the dog both externally and internally. Thus, it should first be tested on a small dog region with a small amount of the product to verify that it does not have a bad reaction.
- Several users report that this formula contains chemicals that burn human skin and make their smaller dogs ill when used as directed. As a result, some users advise against using this product because some of the chemicals in this spray are toxic to both animals and humans, prompting them to stop using it.
5. Calm Coat Natural
Calm Coat Natural is formulated with botanical elements like citronella, so you don’t have to worry about slathering a bunch of harsh chemicals all over your pet. This makes it resistant to flies, mosquitoes, gnats, chiggers, ticks, and other pests. The spray isn’t oily or sticky so that it won’t stay on your dog’s coat for long, and the aroma isn’t overpowering. It is, however, somewhat pricey, which gets unpleasant when you consider that you will need to reapply it every day to see any benefits. While Calm Coat Natural is effective, it only works for a day at a time, so it’s difficult for us to place it higher than a third — especially given its high price.
PROS-
- Natural substances are used.
- Ticks, gnats, and other insects are also protected.
- It’s not greasy or sticky.
- The scent isn’t overpowering.
CONS-
- On the expensive side
- Every day, it must be reapplied.
Some frequently asked questions-
- Why are there flies on my dogs?
A fly may be drawn to a dog’s coat for a variety of reasons. This includes everything from excrement that has been matted in her fur to open sores hidden by her hair.
Some flies are even more devious than the rest. Horseflies, for instance, will bite your dog, and you, too, so be careful. Because these bites can bleed and become infected, it’s critical to treat them as quickly as possible and prevent them from happening again.
- Are Files Harmful?
Yes, they can be. Some bite into your dog’s flesh, producing wounds that can quickly become infected, as mentioned above.
Others spread sickness – as many as 65 diseases have been identified. These might range from minor annoyances to life-threatening illnesses such as dysentery.
Although it’s unlikely that a dog will contract a potentially fatal disease due to contact with flies, there’s no reason to take the chance.
- How to keep flies in control
While the repellents on this list do an excellent job of keeping bugs away from your dog, they can only do so much if there are swarms of flies buzzing around all the time. As a result, it’s critical to maintain the immediate vicinity as clean as possible. This includes scooping up poop as quickly as possible, tightly sealing any rubbish bins, and removing any standing water. Also, as gruesome as it may seem, a dead animal in the region might attract many flies. In that situation, removing the carcass as quickly as possible is critical (and you may need to call animal control to do this). Flytraps, strips, and zappers can be placed around your home to try to catch the pests before they land on your dog. However, avoid using anything that contains an attractant, as this will just exacerbate the problem. Finally, there are natural alternatives, such as introducing fly predators into your yard. For example, Spray containers non-biting wasp species feed on fly larvae; by releasing them around your house, you can eliminate an entire generation of flies without using any chemicals.
